Birds are indicators of environmental quality for virtually every ecosystem in the world. Meat and eggs produced by birds are the largest source of animal protein produced and eaten by man, while other bird products such as feathers, oils, and leather are highly valuable in the clothing, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and fertilizer industries. In addition, birds act as a source of ecotourism, domestication, and recreational hobbies. Scientific research with birds in these areas and others continues to yield critical information for advancements in human medicine, developmental biology, and cognition.
The Avian Biology major at the University of Georgia provides broad training in practical applied science with strong grounding in general biology and chemistry to demonstrate the vital roles that birds play in human society. Students will have excellent opportunities to learn the basic principles of biology associated with reproduction, behavior, physiology, nutrition, diseases, and genetics as they relate to avian species. Courses in areas such as education, environmental protection, resource conservation, wildlife rehabilitation, and biomedical research are available and will prepare the student for employment in the trillion dollar global bird industry or admission to professional programs in veterinary medicine, pharmacy, medicine, law, and the biological sciences.
Avian Biology students will have the opportunity to pursue departmental research, undergraduate teaching, and paid student worker positions. The Poultry Science Department awards around $80,000 each year in student scholarships. All Avian Biology students are eligible for these scholarships each academic year of their degree. Students will also work with a major specific advisor for each semester they attend UGA.